We made it there and were with...the Kursk Root icon of the Mother of God

I am so so thankful.

Liturgically it was the Church New Year,

yesterday, on September 14th.

***

The Kursk Root icon of the Mother of God is so special.

The first time I saw it was in 2011, late December,

my Husband and I were dating long-distance and

it was when I entered the Church with this icon 

visiting, that I knew that I could marry the man

who is now my Husband.

The Mother of God made it very clear to me.

So this icon is so dear to me.

My Husband, years before I knew him,

had this holy icon in his house,

and once he stayed overnight in a home that this icon was

staying for the evening.

So we both care very much about this icon.

Here are some links about it,

here is a bit of history, here is more and with miracles, 

here has a picture of the icon without the covering and here is more stories and 

here is another story and history and this one tells of how it survived

a direct attack against it. 

***

I was able to pray for so many on my heart

plus for my Husband and myself,

as this past year has had so many difficulties for us.

***

I would say both of us have colds now.

I am trying to balance my life, 

in terms of rest, making food to help us heal and

keep the house in order. 

***

My Husband is working from home today,

we are planning on staying local for Church

and trying to rest.

***

I am so very grateful to see this icon in the Church New Year.

Bishop Nicholas spoke of patience, of the will of God,

being willing to bear our Cross, to have a new beginning,

to forsake our sins and leave them behind,

of the consolation and help we can have from the Mother of God,

to beg for her help.

***

Indeed. 

***

I love this line in the service to the Mother of God:

"Brought low am I, O Virgin, in a place of sickness and in a dwelling of anguish. 

Grant healing to me, transforming all of my illness into full healthfulness."